afterthought
verbEtymology From after- + thought, probably modelled on forethought. Compare also the verb afterthink.
1
Nonstandard, Possibly To expound as an afterthought.
Very rare except in the past tense
afterthought
nounUS /ˈæft.ɚ.θɔt/
Etymology From after- + thought, probably modelled on forethought. Compare also the verb afterthink.
1
A reflection after an act; a later or subsequent thought, action, or expedient.
- She packed her sandals only as an afterthought, but she was glad she did.
2
Something additional to the original plan or concept.
- This whole remodeling was an afterthought; we were only going to paint and call it good.
- The lighting in the corridor just dabbles of arcs, afterthoughts, smears. The light a grime that gives him a slight headache. The same type as when it has rained, remained humid, a fetid stale of ozone over everything.2007, Constantine Sult, chapter 1, in The Murder of Linen, [United States]: Brown Paper Publishing, page 1:
1 more example
- For most of the past three decades, the natural world was treated almost as an afterthought by world leaders. If discussed at all, it was with platitudes about the need to save polar bears and tigers.2019 August 30, Jonathan Watts, “Amazon fires show world heading for point of no return, says UN”, in The Guardian:
- Related terms
- afterthink